Nearly 1,000 people lost their lives trying to cross the Mediterranean only days ago.
MigrationInternational
- Error detected
- The claim incorrectly presents a cumulative yearly figure as a single recent incident
The death toll of nearly 1,000 was not reached until April 2026, months after the speech
- Omissions
- The figure of nearly 1,000 deaths refers to cumulative deaths throughout 2026, not a single incident 'only days ago'
- By February 11, 2026, the cumulative death toll was significantly lower than 1,000 - approximately 400-600 deaths since the beginning of the year according to IOM data available at the time
- Sources
- SecondaryThe GuardianAt least 606 people reported dead or missing in the Mediterranean since the beginning of 2026
- SecondaryEuronewsHundreds of migrants feared dead in Mediterranean shipwrecks since start of 2026
- SecondaryAl JazeeraAt least 990 deaths recorded in 2026 according to IOM, reached by April 2026